Project

2.1: The Chase

That's when a loose plank on a palette caught my eyes.

I didn't want to kill him, but with time running low and the fear that he might try to kill me up here made me grab the plank and rip it off. The crack noise echoing back down the stairs, and scaring everyone who was still trying to think of an explanation. As I prepared myself for the worst, I opened the steel door to the rooftop.

The wind hit me like a brick wall. The rain blocking any sound of me opening the door, yet also Pessimist doing anything. The drops themselves flooded my eyes, ears, nose, everything, making many things difficult to decipher. "PESSIMIST!" I yelled over the thunderous roars and slamming rain, "WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOU'RE TRAPPED! THERE'S NO WAY OFF THIS ROOF, YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THAT!"

I had no clue whether he had already somehow made a getaway or not, but I felt someone staring at me in the darkness. I had to assume that this was Pessimist, and not some unfortunate person who didn't get the memo of not going outside. From my small glimpses around the building and through the rain, I could see that we were pretty well surrounded by many roofs, and each were only a few meters away. Pessimist in fact had many routes to go, whereas I had few and far between. The rain itself made things worse, covering the ground with pools of water, which I could feel my feet slipping in anytime I took another step. I close the door behind me, now covering the entire area in darkness; at least I knew he couldn't get back without me noticing.

I now had to rely on my other blocked senses, as everything within a few centimetres was now barely visible. I closed my eyes, hearing through all the rain, listening to the ground beneath me, feeling the vibrations of the water hit the floor with slight splashes. I controlled my breathing, tempting though it may be, I was determined not to lose my composure and lash out into the darkness. I stood there, waiting for any sudden changes.

That's when I heard the pitter-patter of footsteps heading straight towards me from my left, "Found you." I muttered, as I swung the board in that direction, hitting something at great speed. Yet that was only a pipe, as apparently Pessimist saw this, and had prepared for an attack at waist-height. He immediately ducked, and took a swing towards me already bruised jaw.

BAM!

This time my body flew towards the other side of the roof. As I regained my composure, I heard Pessimist call out from the distance. "Nice try, man! But you have to realise that if you want to take out me, do not aim for the middle ground! HAHA!" I heard the mocking tone in his voice, which was almost enough to bring me to my tipping point. As lightning struck once more, I saw his silhouette stand tall, enlarged greatly and overpowering me, "You really need to give up! Otherwise I will have to forcefully stop you, and my boss would get really upset! SO QUIT FOLLOWING ME!" Pessimist yelled through the rain. Then he once again charged towards me, his hoodie flowing in the gale-force winds. I prepared myself for another punch, only to feel his leg brush past me. When I turn around, all I see is heading over to the edge of the roof, "WAIT!!" I yell, thinking of every bad scenario that could happen, yet he doesn't listen to me.

And takes a leap of faith.

At first I don't see him, and presume that my questions will never be answered, but then. I hear the same, casually calm voice: "What? Did you honestly think I would jump if nothing was below me?!" He yells in the distance. I rush over to find that one roof had been hidden below the edge, and that a proud Pessimist was standing atop of it. I couldn't help but feel jealous. "Oh please! This is an easy jump, do not compliment me on such a wimpy act!" He yells to me. He then once again turns and runs off. I couldn't let him go, not now that I was so close! I take a deep breath, and lunge myself towards the other building.

To my surprise, the rain had helped, giving me some extra speed as I crazily rushed off the edge chasing a mad man. I landed on my feet, and then fell on my now battered face. As I looked up, I see Pessimist staring at me. I can only assume he's impressed, with his mask blocking every human expression he gives. Soon enough, however, he begins his escape. And I stupidly go after him, risking my life jumping over alley-ways and canyons. Wherever he went, I followed closely behind.